Page 9 - Clear Lake Mirror Reporter E-Edition 11-11-2015

Clear Lake Mirror-Reporter Lifestyle Nov. 11, 2015 • Page 9

Practice good mobile manners Shopping for the right family phone and data plan

Many find it difficult to remember life before mobile phones. Few people now stray far The cost of phone and data plans can match or offer additional discounts to earn your • Look beyond the major providers.
from their phones for more than a few minutes, which only highlights the important role our quickly add up, especially for heads of household business. New providers continually enter the mo-
phones play in our everyday lives. who finance such plans for their entire families. • Learn the lingo. By learning the vocabulary bile phone arena, providing even more op-
Data from the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project found that 90 Though cell phone minutes were once the pri- of the mobile phone market, you will have more tions to savvy consumers. While AT&T,
percent of American adults own a cell phone. Around the world, there are nearly as many mary concern of cellular phone users, today’s in- negotiating power. As with any technology, the Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile have long
mobile phones as there are people. More than half of cell phone owners find themselves creasingly advanced smartphones have led many terminology can be confusing. Terms such as data, dominated the market and still may of-
checking their phones for messages or alerts even when they haven’t noticed their phones families to use their mobile devices for much rollover, talk and text, mobile share, and cloud fer you the best value depending on your
ringing or vibrating. more than just making calls. storage may seem like a foreign language to the needs, keep in mind there are a variety of
Overdependence on mobile technology can lead to discourteous cell-phone behavior That increased reliance is one reason the novice user. other providers and plans. What’s more,
The following are some mobile manners to consider the next time your phone rings or cost of phone and data plans has risen since • Weigh the pros and cons of contracts. Some retail stores may have agreements with
chirps. the salad days of cell phones. Families looking phone plans require users to sign contracts for cer- certain mobile phone providers to offer
• Lower your voice. Be mindful of your volume and speak more softly when using your to trim those costs can take inventory of their tain lengths of time, while others do not require you even more perks. Consumer Reports
mobile phone. While you can speak as loudly as you prefer in the privacy of your own home, phone and data plans to make sure they are get- contracts. In many instances, if you sign up for a routinely ranks cell phone coverage and
be considerate of those around you when making calls in public. ting the most bang for their buck. one- or two-year contract, the service provider will service and may be able to guide you in
• Watch your language. Language that may be acceptable inside of your home is not • Establish a budget. Families should decide offset the costs of your mobile phone or provide your next plan purchase.
always acceptable in public places. Clean up your act if you are using a phone outdoors, how much they are comfortable paying for mo- one free. Without a contract, it may be the cus- Thanks to greater plan flexibility,
especially when you are in the company of children. bile devices and then work from that number. tomer’s responsibly to purchase a phone outright. more competition, and educated consum-
• Take a meal break. Constantly fiddling with your phone or checking emails or texts Without a budget, it is possible to spend more You must decide what works best for your family. ers, there has never been a better time to
while dining out can be disrespectful to those you are dining with. Put the phone away for than desired, especially when faced with all of look at mobile phone plans for families.
the duration of the meal. If an important call does come in, move away from the dining area the features available in today’s plans. Research
to handle it. the average prices of plans from a few different Five tips for a smart phone purchase
• Avoid phone conversations in enclosed spaces. Others become prisoners to your con- providers to get a grasp of what’s available.
versation when you choose to use a phone while on the bus or train. If you’re using apps on • Calculate the family’s needs. To be able to (Family Features) For work or play, cell If your job relies on documents and forms, a
the phone in close proximity to others, keep the volume off. compare prices accurately from different provid- phones are an integral component of today’s phone with a sizable screen and excellent res-
• Give others your full attention. It’s rude to be on your phone when you interact with ers, first determine how many minutes, gigabytes culture. Research shows that most people use olution is a must. If you work outdoors, you
other people, so put your phone down when the situation calls for it. of data and other features you and your family their personal cell phones for work as well, so need a sturdy phone that can withstand some
• Let it go to voicemail. Many calls are not urgent, and you can let voicemail do its job. use in a given month. Look at the usage history there are a wide range of factors to consider tough conditions, including a rain storm or a
The same can be said for texting. Not every text requires an immediate response. on past cell phone bills to get a firm grasp of this when choosing the phone to best fit your drop in a puddle.
• Respect quiet areas. Phones should be on silent in the theater, church and the library. usage, and add a reasonable amount to that total needs. 3. Explore other features. Knowing how
• Don’t text and drive. Texting and driving is not only illegal in some areas, but also it if you will be adding one or more children onto Making the right selection for your busi- you will use your phone will help you deter-
puts others and yourself at risk for accident and/or injury. Do not let your phone be a distrac- the plan. With an approximate usage number in ness-use phone can not only prevent need- mine other important features on the job.
tion while you’re behind the wheel. Store it out of reach so you are not tempted to answer mind, you can more easily find the plan that best less frustration, it can also save you (and your For example, an extra-loud speaker and one-
incoming calls or texts. suits your family. employer) significant time and money. A touch push-to-talk can make communicating
Common courtesy and good mobile manners go together. Mobile users can think be- • Consider pre-paid phones. Pre-paid plans single device failure can have a big impact on easy. If you spend a good portion of the day
fore they act when using cell phones. are an option for some families. With such plans, a company’s productivity and bottom line. away from power, a long battery life is also a
users load a set amount of money on an account. These losses can be measured in the must.
Will your phone withstand everyday wear and tear? Once that limit is exceeded, users no longer use “Cripple Ripple Effect,” which describes how 4. Anticipate memory needs. A sales-
their phones. This can be a good option for chil- expenses go far beyond replacement costs person can help you understand how much
(StatePoint) Unless you’re the number Here are some highlights of their findings: dren who need to learn about the responsibility when a smartphone fails. Time is money. memory you need to accomplish your every-
one ranked UFC middleweight fighter, you’re • Apple fixed its bend issues. In the Bend- of cell phone ownership. Parents won’t have to Consider this advice to help guide your next day tasks. Some smartphones offer a memory
likely not going to be able to bend the new Bot test, the iPhone 6s Plus and 6s withstood worry about incurring extra charges or receiving business phone purchase: card slot that lets you expand the phone’s
iPhone 6s Plus. But you stand a very good 180 and 170 pounds of pressure, respectively high bills for exceeding data or minutes. 1. Consult with your employer. Before memory and easily transfer data between de-
chance of dropping your pricey smartphone -- a 50 to 60 percent improvement in bend- • Bundle plans. Enrolling in a family plan, buying a phone that will be used at least part vices, significantly expanding your phone’s
on a hard surface, dropping it in the toilet or ability. The Samsung Galaxy Note5 also with- which offers a number of lines and shared data of the time for business use, do some re- data capabilities.
leaving it unattended in the hands of your stood 170 pounds. “Both manufacturers have or combining a mobile plan with other services search at the office. Confirm your company’s 5. Know your environment. Ensure the
kids. While it will help to get a case, it’s also responded to Bendgate with significant im- offered by a cellular provider can save families network will allow you to perform the op- features of the phone can be protected from
a good idea to invest in a product designed to provements on the three phones we tested. money. For example, if your cable television and erations you desire, such as checking email harsh work environments to avoid costly re-
endure a little abuse. • Face-down drops are still the most Internet provider also offers mobile phone ser- remotely. Also investigate whether there are placements due to dropping, water or dust
But which new smartphone is durable common phone hazard. Though manufac- vices, signing up for one of their mobile plans any corporate discounts to help trim the cost exposure and more. A rugged smartphone
enough for you? No matter if you choose an turers tout new and improved glass, all three might just save you money under a bundled of the phone and even your monthly service also is less likely to sustain damage through
iPhone, a Samsung Galaxy or another phone, phones shattered when dropped face down on package. Speak with a sales representative to see charges. everyday wear and tear, so it may be a smart
it’s important to research before you buy. pavement. which plans will yield the most savings. Don’t 2. Consider physical attributes. The investment even for a milder work environ-
SquareTrade, a protection plan provider • The Note5 fares better in extreme cold. be afraid to mention what you’ve found at other nature of your work may help guide you in ment, especially if you have an active person-
for smartphones, tablets and other electronics, Though the Note5 was the easiest to drop and providers. Some companies are willing to price choosing the best phone to get the job done. al life.
recently performed two tests on the phones. break, it scored the highest in temperature
The findings? Despite new ion-strengthened durability. Extreme temperatures impact a
Retina HD displays, all phone screens break phone’s ability to hold a full charge and short-
equally when they hit a hard surface, but the en the lifespan of the phone’s battery. The
new iPhone 6s Plus, which has been rein- Note5 lasted nearly two hours in extreme cold
forced with 7000 series aluminum, was truly while making a video call, the iPhone 6s Plus
tougher than the previous models. lasted a little more an hour and the iPhone 6s
In addition, the company put the new lasted only 30 minutes.
phones through their battery of robot tests, Better protect whatever phone you opt
to determine each device’s Breakability Score, for with a hard case and a good protection
including a new extreme temperature test in plan, which can cost just a few dollars month-
the company’s newly designed Thermo Rig. ly and be a great antidote to “oops anxieties.”

Optimum Health Chiropractic Grissom says…
Address under-inflated
Bringing you and your tires immediately. An under-
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resistance, which increases fuel
a better way of life. consumption. It also creates
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